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 Manning's light eyes grew paler. "Of course I will." His voice was coldly curt. "The man saved your life and Giles's. I shall try to pay the obligation in full by saving him first from the mob and then from the law, if necessary, as seems probable. If I can only get him here, in this house he shall have sanctuary. I do not care to be under obligation to a negro."

"Manning!" cried Virginia.

"Why not take a boat and go into the swamp ourselves," said Giles. "He would recognize us. We might smuggle him out after dark."

Manning shook his head. "It might be done, but I doubt it. In his condition he would probably run from us before he knew who we were."

"Do you suppose they will hunt for him in the swamp?" asked Virginia.

"I think not. The canoe which he found is the only boat there, and I shall have ours hid. I doubt also if those men would care to go into the Caw Caw Swamp. It is a terrible place to get through; absolutely impenetrable in parts, and it would require a very good woodsman to find his way out again."

"Then you think that they will simply wait at the outlets?"

"Yes; and shoot him as they would a buck when he breaks cover. He cannot get through at night; it is bad enough in the daytime." Manning shook his head slowly. "I should not be surprised if he were never to be seen again."

"I don't agree with you, Manning," Virginia answered. "I believe that he can find his way about just as a dog might. He told me that he came out last night, 288